Van Persie committed to United March 13, 2014 MANCHESTER United striker Robin van Persie last night quashed speculation he is looking to leave this summer and backed manager David Moyes to turn around the club’s fortunes. The 30-year-old moved from Arsenal in a £24m deal two years ago, but was said to have grown frustrated with a difficult season on the field which [...]
Italy can frustrate England in Rome March 13, 2014 HARRY MADLEY AND BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEW THE WEEKEND’S SIX NATIONS AND PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION ENGLAND made Wales look distinctly average last Sunday afternoon at Twickenham and they richly deserved their 29-18 victory that sets up a thrilling three-way battle for the Six Nations title going into the final round of fixtures. However, the Red Rose [...]
United to avoid Liverpool nightmare at the Theatre of Dreams March 13, 2014 A FLICKER of hope. That’s all Manchester United hang on to in their pursuit of a top four place and it will be finally extinguished should they lose to in-form Liverpool on Sunday. But win and United fans will dare to dream that this horror show of a campaign could yet have a happy ending. [...]
How has Tim Sherwood got Tottenham winning more when they’re playing worse? March 13, 2014 Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood may have divided opinion this week by publicly castigating his players but one thing about his fledgling tenure is undeniable: results have improved. Spurs have taken 20 per cent more points per Premier League game since Sherwood replaced Andre Villas-Boas in December. Even though Sherwood’s greater emphasis on attack has seen [...]
Kompany: We’ll fight until the end March 11, 2014 FOOTBALL: Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany believes his side can use their dramatic 2012 Premier League title triumph as inspiration to overcome Barcelona tonight. City trail 2-0 from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, but Kompany has reminded his team-mates to fight until the end having scored twice in the final minutes [...]
Restaurant review: Hispania, Bank March 6, 2014 RESTAURANT HISPANIA72-74 Lombard Street, EC3V 9AYTel: 0207 621 0338 FOOD Four StarsVALUE Four StarsATMOSPHERE Four Stars Cost for two with wine: £110 COMBINING the words “Spanish” and “bank” in recent years has been enough to leave a bad taste in the mouth. Yet despite the somewhat portentous association, a group of brave Asturians have taken [...]
QPR facing £50m promotion tax March 6, 2014 QUEENS Park Rangers face the likelihood of a fine of around £50m if they achieve promotion back to the Premier League this season unless their financial position suffers a dramatic and unexpected improvement. The west London football club’s annual losses snowballed from £23m to £65m last season as they spent lavishly in a vain effort [...]
England fret over Wilshere as scan reveals fracture March 6, 2014 ARSENAL midfielder Jack Wilshere faces a race to be fit for the World Cup after breaking a bone in his foot during England’s friendly with Denmark on Wednesday, his club confirmed yesterday. Wilshere suffered the injury 12 minutes into the 1-0 win at Wembley following a strong tackle from Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, though after [...]
Duff to miss Fulham’s survival bid March 6, 2014 FOOTBALL: Fulham manager Felix Magath revealed winger Damien Duff is likely to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. The Premier League’s bottom club travel to 19th-placed Cardiff tomorrow and are also without midfielder Scott Parker.
Bogeymen to leave Spurs beaten at the Bridge again March 6, 2014 SINEAD O’Connor was top of the charts with Nothing Compares 2 U the last time Tottenham won at Stamford Bridge and, just like the Irish popstar in the song’s famous video, Spurs fans have often been reduced to tears in the intervening years. A winner from Gary Lineker secured the points that day, on Saturday [...]